Fears hospital could reduce maternity services

A West Sussex MP is meeting with hospital bosses over fears its maternity facilities could be downgraded.

Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for West Worthing, said she had been informed by staff at Worthing Hospital that its maternity services may be reduced.

Expectant mothers could instead be forced to use hospitals in Brighton or Chichester if the plans go ahead, Dr Cooper said.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (UH Sussex) said absences among specialist maternity staff meant that, in the next few months, it may not be able to safely operate the ward but it was working hard to increase numbers.

Dr Cooper said: “I’ve been contacted over the weekend by various people from the hospital who are very concerned.

"We need to get more information to see what’s actually happening."

Worthing Hospital has a delivery suite and offers pre and post birth care, with 24-hour access to doctors.

It also has a birthing pool, a 24-hour epidural service and an operating theatre for planned and emergency deliveries.

UH Sussex would not confirm which of the services could be scrapped.

Dr Tim Taylor, chief of service for the women and children’s division at UH Sussex, said: “Providing the best possible maternity care is an absolute priority for our dedicated team at Worthing Hospital.

“We’re working hard to increase staffing numbers. We have 20 colleagues in training for specialist neonatal roles that are hard to fill and we’ll have newly-qualified midwives joining us in the autumn."

He said expectant mothers in the trust's care would be kept updated if any changes to the service had to be made.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.